DOI Seeks Nominations On Alaska Offshore Drilling Blocks

By Sindhu Sundar

Law360, New York (September 26, 2013, 5:01 PM ET) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior on Thursday sought nominations on which parcels in the Chukchi Sea off the northwest coast of Alaska would be the most suitable for drilling operations, as the agency gears for its first oil and gas lease sale scheduled for 2016 in the controversial region.

The agency is seeking public comment on which specific areas in the Chukchi Sea should be developed and on the geological conditions and proximity to archeological sites that the drilling would impact, according to a notice...